Cat Beach Sanctuary 猫沙滩 — Attraction in George Town

I was thinking for a long time if I should leave a review for this shelter, but it seems necessary for people to know what’s really going on. I volunteered at this place for a months and have to say that I was never that shocked about how horrible a place which says that they “love” cats treat them so poorly. For most of the cats of cat beach it’s nothing like chilling at the beach and having a good time. Most of the cats are sick and being kept in cages. Some of them for months, others for years. The cages are tiny and dirty. Even if they are healthy they are being kept in cages, maybe because they are not neutered, maybe for some other reasons. It was horrible and shocking to see. I was treated poorly by some staff and the owner of this place. Little care for the employees and the cats. Also the property is connected to another shelter which holds cats in exchange of money which makes me sick. The cats there are basically left to die. I want to say that I do appreciate the work of some of the employees who are working directly at the property and are giving their best to try and help the cats as much as they can. But still the lives of the cats are not “good” or “chilling at the beach” or any of this propaganda. I am still very shocked, angry and hurt by this place. It’s definitely not animal welfare what this place is doing. If you are thinking about visiting, donating for this place, adopting a cat from here or even bringing a cat there I would highly recommend not to. This is NOT animal welfare. It breaks my heart for the cats and think that a hard life on the street is better then a horrible life in...

The cats here are the best salespawsons.

We hadn't even entered the actual beach sanctuary, and were just at the carpark, when we were approached and surrounded by 5 cats which all purred and rubbed their heads against our calves. I squatted and they just came towards my proffered hand and rubbed their faces on it, nudging it for pets. At one point, i was giving two cats scritches while one curled up by my leg and another stared at me and offered her? belly. I felt like i had died and gone to a heaven for cat lovers. Never met so many manja cats, all at once!

At the beach itself, there were cats lazing everywhere! Just snuggly, attention seeking, scritches loving cats sprawled out across sand, stone platforms and every surface. They were all affectionate too! The people running the place must be doing something right.

Definitely do donate to them, you can also sponsor them online! We learnt that there were around 250 cats and while they generally seemed clean and cared for, quite several of them definitely need ongoing medical attention and vaccinations. The food required must be a lot too!

Best to buy some cat food before heading in, so you can donate that in addition to money. We didn't know to get cat food and there wasn't any place nearby that sold that.

All in all, mewgical experience! If I lived in Penang, I'd probably just head there every week for a self care session, where i would just scoop up cats and pile them all on top of me as i lay in the sun, on the sand, buried under a pile...

Cat Beach is a wonderful place, where everyone is trying his/her best for the cats everyday. On top it is beautiful located right at the beach. I was blessed to work there for 2 weeks as a volunteer. Mas is an really good instructor and has a good heart. I know they will do there best for the cat I found (Fordy), until there is hopefully a good adopter. So please adopt and don't shop. The cats deserve a good furrrever home.

And please make sure you are at the right place. There is another cat "Sanctuary" next to cat Beach (right at the parking place or the first one along the beach when you came from the national park). In my opinion it is Not a Sanctuary. It is just one man making money of people's good heart. He doesn't care for the cats at all, only for the donations. I made the mistake and thought that this is cat Beach. I gave him my cat Fordy and he just put it in a small cage with 5 other kitten, without knowing, if they are maybe ill or something like that. After I realized that this is not cat Beach, I want my cat back and we had a big discussion about that. Only after I told him that he can keep my donation, I got the cat back. Horrible place!! So please make sure that you are at the right place! Also a lot of the bad recommendations are for that place, because people thought it...